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Scam Alerts

Where to Report A Scam:

  • To report a potential scam, call the Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs at 808-587-4272 (Option 7)

  • To learn about existing scams, go to DCCA’s main page and type “scams” into the search bar

For more information about Scams and how to protect yourself, check out:


Judiciary Warns Against Being Scam Victim

Please beware of anyone calling or emailing you claiming to be from the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary saying you have an outstanding bench warrant or summons for not showing up for jury duty or a court date. This includes calls or emails claiming to be from a judge, court officer or staff member, or law enforcement. Generally, the courts would not call or email you unless you called or emailed us to respond to a specific question. All other communication is handled through U.S. mail.

The courts would not ask you to:

  • Confirm your identity by giving your name, birth date, Social Security number, credit or debit card number, or other personal or financial information
  • Buy pre-paid debit or gift cards to pay a fine and avoid arrest and jail
  • Meet somewhere (courthouse, police station, etc.) to make a payment
  • Stay on the phone to buy pre-paid debit or gift cards

How to Protect Yourself from Scams

  • If you get a phone call you suspect is a scam, hang up without responding to any questions or pressing any numbers you may be asked to press.
  • If you get an email that looks to be from the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary, but you did not email us first, do not click on anything and do not reply. Delete it immediately.

If You Owe Money for Traffic Tickets
The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary contracts with Pioneer Credit Recovery (PCR) to act as our collection agency for overdue traffic fines. PCR may call or email you to try to collect the money owed. If you are not sure the call is from PCR, contact PCR Customer Service Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time). The phone numbers are 1-866-802-0053.

For more information on handling potential scams, consult Hawaii’s Fraud Prevention & Resource Guide produced by the Hawaiʻi State Attorney General’s Office.

“Mailbox Quota” E-mail Scam – Posted on August 27, 2019

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary has become aware of an e-mail scam using “courts.hawaii.gov”. The message says that the mailbox quota has been exceeded and requests the recipient to click a button to upgrade to an extra 40GB plan without any charges.

Do not click anything in this e-mail and do not reply. It may carry a virus. In general, the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary does not contact the public by e-mail. We send official correspondence through the U.S. Postal Service.

If you receive an e-mail you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Jury Duty Telephone Scam — Posted on November 6, 2017

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary has been notified about someone claiming to be from the “District Court” and serving citations for failing to show up for jury duty selection. The alleged scammer was offering to clear the warrant in exchange for payment.

Deputy sheriffs and staff of the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary do not call people about bench warrants having to do with jury duty, or solicit payments to resolve or clear bench warrants. If you receive a call you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Parking Ticket Email Scam, Posted February 15, 2017

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary has been notified about an email scam that is circulating from individuals purporting to be from the courts and/or the police department. The email informs the recipient that he or she has a parking ticket and provides a parking ticket number and a link for the recipient to click on. Do not click on the link or respond to this email scam as it may carry a virus.

In general, the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary does not contact the public by email, as correspondence from the courts is sent through the U.S. Postal Service.  

If you receive an email you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Judiciary Notified of New Traffic Light Email Scam – Posted on November 21, 2016

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary was notified of an email scam where an email, purporting to come from the courts, states that the recipient’s vehicle was recorded running a red light. The email indicates that a court date was set but claims the individual missed the court date and was found guilty. Furthermore, the email states that the unpaid amount has been assigned to a collection agency and warns that an additional $15 will be added for each day the balance goes unpaid.

In addition, the hoax email provides a link for the recipient to login and pay the fine immediately. Please do not click on the link or respond to this email scam. In general, the public will not be contacted by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary for official business by email and we do not summon people to court electronically. If you received an email you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Warns Public About Court Summons Phone Scam – Posted on September 8, 2016

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary has received a report of a new phone scam. A person claiming to be an independent summons server with the court called an individual with instructions to be home during specified hours, and to fax personal information, including a social security number. The caller goes on to say that if the instructions are not followed, a summons will be served at the recipient’s workplace. If a summons is not able to be served, the caller claims the court case will proceed regardless.

Hawaiʻi residents are advised not to provide any personal information or credit card numbers to callers claiming to be from the courts. In general, the public will not be contacted by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary for official business by phone or email. If you have received a phone call that you think may be a scam, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Warns Public About Court Phone Scam – Posted on August 10, 2016 

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary wants you to be aware of a possible telephone scam. We received a report that an individual, identifying himself as a law enforcement officer, called a person and explained that the person failed to answer a penal summons. The caller then asked the person to meet him at the district courthouse. The caller also asked for the person’s cell phone number, stating he needed to track him and the caller threatened to arrest him.

It is important to know that deputy sheriffs and Hawaiʻi Judiciary staff do not summon individuals to court by phone or through email.  This includes jury duty selection and making court payments.  If you received a call you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Court Hearing Scam Resurfaced – Posted on May 6, 2016

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary has received a report from an individual who received an email purporting to come from a court employee. The email was summoning an individual to court on a specific date and asks that they bring all documents related to the case. The email also instructs the recipient to click on attached documents or a zip file to view the court notice.

Please do not click on the attachments or respond to this email scam. In general, the public will not be contacted by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary for official business by email and we do not summon people to court electronically. If you received an email you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Jury Duty Telephone Scam — Posted on April 27, 2016

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary received a report from an individual who was contacted by someone claiming to be from the “District Court” and was serving citations for failing to show up for jury duty selection. The alleged scammer was offering to clear the warrant in exchange for payment.

Deputy sheriffs and staff of the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary do not call people about bench warrants having to do with jury duty, or solicit payments to resolve or clear bench warrants. If you received a call you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Court Hearing Scam – Posted on April 18, 2016

An email scam has resurfaced as the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary has received a report of an email purporting to come from a court employee. The email is summoning an individual to court. The email also instructs the recipient to click on attached documents or a zip file to get more information on an alleged notice to appear in court.

Please do not click on the attachments or respond to this email scam. In general, the public will not be contacted by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary for official business by email and we do not summon people to the court electronically. If you received an email you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Warns Public About Court Phone Scam – Posted on March 3, 2016

HONOLULU, HI – The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary has received a report of a new phone scam.  A caller claiming to be from the courts asserts that an individual’s driver’s license has been suspended due to unpaid traffic citations.  The caller asks for the individual’s credit card number to pay for the citations so that the driver’s license suspension can be removed.  The caller’s phone number may appear blocked on a phone’s Caller ID.

Hawaiʻi residents are advised not to provide any personal information or credit card numbers to callers claiming to be from the courts.  In general, the public will not be contacted by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary for official business by phone or email.  If you have received a phone call that you think may be a scam, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Court Hearing Scam – Posted on August 12, 2015

An email scam has resurfaced as the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary has received a report of an email purporting to come from a district court employee. The email is summoning an individual to court. The email also instructs the recipient to click on attached documents to get more information relating to the case.

Please do not click on the attachments or respond to this email scam. In general, the public will not be contacted by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary for official business by email and we do not summon people to court electronically. If you received an email you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Sheriff Jury Duty Telephone Scam – Posted on July 27, 2015

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary received a report from an individual who was contacted by someone claiming to be from the “Honolulu Sheriff Department” and was serving warrants for people who did not show up for jury duty. The alleged scammer was offering to clear the warrant in exchange for payment.

Deputy sheriffs and staff of the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary do not call people about bench warrants having to do with jury duty, or solicit payments to resolve or clear bench warrants. If you received a call you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Court Hearing Scam – Posted on February 18, 2015

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary has received multiple reports of an email scam purporting to come from a district court employee. The emails are summoning an individual to court. The email also instructs the recipient to click on the attached documents to get more information relating to the case.

Please do not click on the attachments or respond to this email scam. In general, the public will not be contacted by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary for official business by email and we do not summon people to court electronically. If you received an email you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Communications and Community Relations Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Court Date Scam – Posted on March 4, 2014

We were made aware of another telephone scam today, where a caller who purports to be a district court employee notifies an individual that he or she has missed a court date and a fine is being assessed. The alleged scammer then left a telephone number for a return call to an out-of-service number.

Employees of the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary do not summon people to court by phone. If you receive such a call, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Public Affairs Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Eviction Email Scam – Posted on February 27, 2014

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary continues to receive reports of email scams, in which emails purporting to come from Hawaiʻi State Judiciary offices or staff are being sent to individuals worldwide. The most recent email scam claims to be from a bailiff and instructs the individual to vacate his or her premises and to click on a link for more information. When the individual clicked on the link, it reportedly crashed her computer.

Please do not click on the link or respond to these email scams. In general, the public will not be contacted by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary for official business by email and we do not summon people to court electronically. If you receive an email you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Public Affairs Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Hawaiʻi Intermediate Court of Appeals Email Scam — Posted on February 4, 2014

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary has received multiple reports of an email scam, in which emails purporting to come from the Hawaiʻi Intermediate Court of Appeals are being sent to individuals worldwide. The email refers to a pretrial notice, stating that a complaint has been received and a court date has been set. The email then instructs the individual to click on a link to confirm the details of the trial. Please do not click on the link or respond to this email scam. In general, the public will not be contacted by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary for official business by email and we do not summon people to court electronically.

If you receive an email you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Public Affairs Office at pao@courts.hawaii.gov or call (808) 539-4909.

Sheriff Jury Duty Telephone Scam – Posted on February 3, 2014

Individuals are calling people and claiming to be Sheriff Deputies serving warrants for people who did not show up for jury duty. They are offering to clear the warrant if people will pay for a product or service.

Deputy sheriffs and staff at the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary do not call people about warrants having to do with jury duty or solicit the purchase of anything.

Scam Emails About Phony Court Cases Carry Computer Virus – Posted January 14, 2014

The federal judiciary has learned of an email scam, in which emails purporting to come from federal and state courts are infecting the recipients’ computer with viruses. There have not been any reported cases here locally, but we wanted to alert the public to be cautious about this scam. In general, the public will not be contacted by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary for official business by email and we do not summon people to court electronically. For more information, visit: http://news.uscourts.gov/public-alert-scam-emails-about-phony-court-cases-carry-computer-virus. If you receive an email you are not sure about, please contact the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Public Affairs Office at (808) 539-4909.